MAYOR QUIÑO DELIVERS SOCA IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH 2024

State of the Children's Address 2024

Barangay Child Representatives from the 22 barangays of Manolo Fortich gathered to witness and listen to Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño’s delivery of this year’s State of the Children’s Address (SOCA). The event also marked the culmination of National Children’s Month, celebrated on November 27, 2024.

This year’s theme, “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines,” focuses on addressing issues of violence against children, reducing its prevalence, and creating a safe environment for them, particularly in Manolo Fortich. Under Mayor Quiño’s leadership, the municipality prioritized initiatives focused on education and health to mitigate children’s vulnerabilities to these pressing challenges.

In his SOCA, Mayor Quiño emphasized the importance of recognizing and fulfilling the rights and needs of children, “Atong gi selebrar ang National Children’s Month sa atong lungsod isip pag ila sa katungod ug sa panginahanglanon sa mga kabataan. Atong gipadayon ang paghatag og komprehensibo nga serbisyo ug prayoridad sa atong upat ka haligi sa katungod sa kabataan nga mao ang ilang right to survival, right to development, right to protection, and right to participation.”

Mayor Quiño also highlighted the progress made in various projects undertaken by the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich in partnership with private agencies. These projects include free medical consultations, immunization and vaccination programs, scholarships for high school and college students, establishment of daycare centers, feeding programs, assistance for children who are victims of sexual abuse, and initiatives to reduce teenage pregnancies, among others.

In response, Municipal Academe Male Child Representative and Regional Child Representative Charlo C. Laurilla expressed gratitude for these programs and how they instilled a sense of security among the children, “Isip tingog sa mga bata, ang pagpaminaw sa mga nahimo sa LGU Manolo Fortich nakapabati sa amo nga luwas kami na magpuyo sulod sa among komunidad ug naghatag kanamo og dako nga paglaom ug kalipay sa among kasing-kasing.”

Coun. Joy L. Cordovez, Committee Chairperson on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, also expressed her appreciation for the initiatives and encouraged their sustainability, “Ang kalihukan karon, usa ka pamatood sa pagpanalipod sa mga katungod sa atong mga kabataan ug sa paghatag og plataporma diin madungog ang ilang mga tingog. Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to build a community where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled.”

Furthermore, the organizing office of Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) also awarded the Building Capacity of Barangay Council (BCPC) Functionality Awards and Most Child Friendly Barangay Awards this year:

Progressive:
Agusan Canyon
Dicklum
Guilang-Guilang
Lingion
Mampayag

Mature:
Dahilayan
Dalirig
Damilag
Lunocan
Mambatangan
Minsuro
San Miguel
Santiago
Tankulan
Sto. Niño
Maluko

Ideal:
Alae
Kalugmanan
Lindaban
Mantibugao
Sankanan
Ticala

BCPC Special Awards:

Sankanan
Best BCPC Facilities for Women and Children

Agusan Canyon
Most Diligent BCPC in Quarterly Reporting Compliance

Damilag
Best Intervention Program for Children-at-Risk

Sto. Niño
Best in Documentation

Lindaban
Most Improved BCPC Office

Most Child Friendly Barangay Awards:

Highway Barangay - Alae
Midland Barangay - Mantibugao
Hinterland Barangay - Ticala